Tours Set to Begin on Spanish Tall Ship

Updated:
Thursday, July 31, 2014 12:04 PM EDT

?OCEAN CITY, Md. - The El Galeon Andalucia has set sail on a five-month tour of the East Coast. The first stop is Ocean City for its first port of call. You can find the tall ship docked at the bayside boardwalk between 3rd and 4th streets.

El Galeon will spend the month of August in Ocean City and will then make seven ports of call en route to Fort Lauderdale where it will be featured in the nationally televised Winterfest Boat Parade on Dec. 13, according to Ulisis Custodio, head of logistics for the El Galeon.

El Galeon is a replica of the late 16th century fabled merchant vessels and war ships. The 170-foot long, 500-ton ship is the only Galeon class vessel sailing today. Five of the seven decks will be available for the public to tour. It currently carries a crew of about 15 members.

Cathy Bassett is a tour coordinator for the vessel. She says there is a lot to learn when you take a tour of the ship. It is all a part of a non-profit mission to educate people in air, sea and space.

"Tours start tomorrow from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and there is actually an opportunity to the see the ship at night under the stars," Bassett said. "On Aug. 29 you can buy a ticket and have some refreshments on board and watch the sunset."

The National Air, Sea & Space Foundation will also invite thousands of public school students on board El Galeon in each port to participate in the Future Explorers Education Program, part of its non-profit mission to educate youth in air, sea and space.

The ship will also represent Spain at the Star Spangled Sailabration in Baltimore to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner.